Chariton courier. (Keytesville, Chariton County, Mo.) 1878-current, 1887-04-14
NUMBER z.
SLBLEY, MO.

Knowing that the readers Of the
CoURIER take great interest in the
leading topics of the day-especially
those topics that pertain to the inter-
nal improvements and prosperity of
our great state, 1 will in these few
leisure moments chronicle q few
items as they have fallen under my
observation.
As regards to the history and
growth Of the Oldest town IN Missou-
RI. 1t came into note about the year
1920, and perhaps even prior to that
date by being made = government
folt and landing. When it assumed
the name of Fort Usage, a name de-
rived from tribe of Indians that
roamed these western WiIds in that
remote period. in 1921, when Mis-
souri, was admitted as . state, and
soon thereafter, strong tide OF i'm.
igration came into this section to
make their homes. A few names OF
whom are now living in Jackson
county to answer TO the roll call.
Sibley, the name which 1t soon after
assumed, being their only town, and
situated at beautiful elevation on
the bank of the grand old Missouri
soon after grew to be business CEN
ter. being settled by an industrious
class of citizens from Virginia, Ken
lucky and Tennessee. OF course its
growth, like all other towns in those
days, was slow, but, through the in
dustry of its inhabitants. and the i'm
ducements offered by the rich, fer
tile soil surrounding Is, gradually
grew in population until the late civil
war, when it was totally destroyed
by the Union soldiers setting ton
fire in 1868, since which time it
has been wanting in spirit OF enter
prise until quite recently. She has
never enjoyed the benefit OF boom
derived from having railroad faciii-
ties as does other towns. But We
are just on the line Of the New
Santa Fe, Chicago & California rail-
road that crosses the northern por-
ton of Charlton county, and along
the line here. The work Is
being pushed by q strong force OF
hands, and grading will soon be fin-
ished from here to Kansas City, Q
distance of twenty FIVE miles. The
bidge across the Missouri is being
erected in plain view of the new town
site, which is known as the Basey
and Samuels addition to the town OF
Sibley. There are about 500 hands
at work here on the bridge and road.
The former promises to be che OF the
finest superstructures OF the KIND
that spands the "Big Muddy. 1s
Is to be elevated sufficiently to ad-
NIT of steamers passing under 1t.
The Santa Fe company have purchase
ed large tract of land near the
bridge, on which they contemplate
building the depot and other bultd-
ings, and at this point they will form
junction with the st. Louis Short
Line. The western boom has struck
ms at last, and real estate is finding
ready sale at 500 per acre. A town
company was organized here
last week with the following officers;
a. Downing. of Kansas City, sccreta-.
I'VE. Z Sainuels. treasurer; 5. W.
Woodson and Capt. d. C. Basey, OK
Brunswick, directors, the latter
manager, at Sibley. They have laid
out the new town site in town lots, to
supply the increasing demands for
property in the future great. Since
| i have been in this county have
met with a number of Cnaritonites,
prominent among them were Win.
| Yapcy, j. p. Triptett, J. NJ, HerH-
! don, ID. C. B4sey, Harmon Veach
aud SON ofIKansaS, aud others,
Now, Mr.. Editor, have tried 70
write such letter as | thought would
interest my Charlton friends, and
trust that YOU will be kind enough to
give it space in your popular paper.
More anon